Shoulder-brace



(N0 Model.)

G. W. CLARK. SHOULDER BRAGB.

Patented Mar. 22, 1892.

UNirn TATES ATENT Orricn.

GEORGE \V. CLARK, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

SHOULDER-BRACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 471,267, dated March 22, 1892. Application filed December 29, 1891- Serial No. 4:16I (N m To wham it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. CLARK, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladies Shoulder-Braces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to that class of articles known as braces or shoulderbraces adapted to draw the shoulders backward and to throw the chest forward. It

more particularly relates to a shoulder-brace for ladies use in connection with the corset.

In addition to the usualand general objects of the shoulder-brace the present invention provides means whereby the brace is prevented from drawing beneath the arm of the wearer,.and thus render its use more comfortable and efficient. To this end the improved shoulderbrace consists substantially of a band or strip either wholly or partially flexible or with flexible connections of a length adapting it to extend from the back of the wearer over the shoulder and around beneath the arm to the back, and combined therewith is a guide fastened to the garment of the wearer in position to restrain the drawing of the band in contact with the under side of the arm and yet permit its free and independent movement with respect to the guide.

As a detailed description of the construction and operation of a preferred form of the improvement will aid a more perfect understanding thereof, such description will now be given, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a View of a figure wearing the improved shoulder-brace, showing the brace in perspective. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the brace, showing its construction.

The improved shoulder-brace B is illustrated in connection with a corset A, being attached thereto; and it consists of a band of sufficient length to extend around the shoulder and beneath the wearers arm, forming a loop, the two ends a b of which are adapted to be fastened at some point or points'at the rear of the wearer. A portion of the brace is threaded through a guide 0, which when attached to the wearers garment acts to hold that portion of the brace from drawing tightly beneath the arm.

The brace consists in the main of an elastic band or strip d, doubled at one end and provided with a buckle c, by which it may be decreased or increased in length. Aportion of the brace is formed by a cord f, (shown doubled for greater streng-th,) which cord portion is used. where the brace is engaged by the guide 0, rendering its more easy movement with respect to the guide than if the band form be used throughout its entire length.

The end b of the brace is adapted for connection to a fastening g, (shown as a plate of metal,) fastened to the upper portion of the.

corset A by a rivet h and capable of a free rocking movement on the rivet. The opposite end a of the brace is formed with a hook for engaging an eye formed in another or the same fastening g. Thus both ends of the brace are, broadly stated, connected to the back of the corset and preferably near its center and upper edge through the instrumentality of the fastening g, rivet, eye, and hook described, and when properly applied to the wearer will draw the shoulder backward, the elastic of the band being sufficiently yielding to permit the free movement of the shoulder. At the joint between the band and cord portion in front there may be provided a hook or detachable clasp 'n, by which the brace is divided into two portions to aid its being applied or removed from the person.

The guide 0 is shown as attached to the corset at the front near one side and about in line with and below the arm-joint, so that the loop of the brace will extend down from the shoulder substantially vertically from the shoulder. The distance of the guide below the shoulder should be such that that portion of the brace extending from it beneath the arm to the end a will be held from drawing upward against the arm and preferably so that it lies along on the upper edge of the corset. The particular form of guide used is not essential. It may be a mere hook, with which the cord of the brace engages and which is temporarily secured to the corset, or, as shown, bear a small anti-friction roller 1' for the easy movement of the brace through the guide, which guide may be fastened in any suitable manner to the corset.

To prevent the brace from chafing the flesh, the loop portion where it bears with its greatest pressure against the person is formed with a pad or padded portion on.

Only one brace has been described; but it is intended, as is shown in Fig. 1, to employ two braces-one for each shoulder-in which case the end I) of each may cross one'another at the back and be connected with opposite fastenings g, while each of the ends a is attached to the fastening securing the end I) of the other or complemental brace. The eitect of this arrangement is that the pull of each brace on the corset is counteracted by the other.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the particular form and construction of the brace shown and described; neither to the style or form of the fastening and of the guide; nor to the manner of securing the brace and its guide to the corset; nor to whether the fastening and guide be adapted to be permanently secured or detachably secured to the wearers garment-such as a corset-as these various details may be changed to suit the requirements of their sale and use.

hat is claimed is 1. The combination, with a shonldenbracc consisting of a band or strip, both ends of which bear a fastening for attachment to a garment, of a guide also for attachment to a garment and loosely engaging the brace to hold it from contact with the under side of the arm and permit its free and independent movement with respect to said guide, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a corset and two shoulder-braces, one end of each of which is secured to the back of the corset and having fastenings at the other ends, of a guide for each brace, loosely engaging it intermediate of its length to permit the free and independent movement of the brace with respect to the guide, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a corset and two shoulder-braces, one end of each of which is connected to the back of the corset and the opposite end of each brace having means for engaging the fastening for the other end of the complemental brace, of a guide for each brace, secured to the front of the corset and loosely engaging the brace intermediate of its length to permit its free and independent movement with respect to said guide, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 28th day of December, 189], in the presence of two witnesses.

GEO. W. CLARK. Witnesses:

Geo. II. GRAHAM, N. lVIARLER. 

